My New Year’s Resolutions – Michael Dennis, CBF

For years, I have been writing New Year’s Resolutions every year. These resolutions usually addressed perceived deficiencies. For example, one of my resolutions last year was to become more proficient at analyzing foreign financial statements. Another resolution was to lend my expertise to the Purchasing Department by becoming more active in qualifying new suppliers. This year, my Resolutions are quite different. They include:

· Have more fun at work
· Take work less seriously
· Try to stop worrying about things I cannot change
· Find out what the boss wants, and make sure I deliver it
· Leave on time at least one day a week and ideally more than once
· Follow through on the promise I made to delegate work more frequently
· Address problems but don’t forget to focus on the person and the problem
· Take real vacations by not responding to messages and emails while on holiday
· Follow through on the commitment to build bridges, not fences, between sales and credit
· Never turn down an offer of assistance, and ask for additional resources if/when you need them
· Give up on the idea that every customer related dispute can be resolved provided enough effort is put into addressing that dispute

I think every credit professional should develop new resolutions like these that help them to:

· Focus on the positive aspects of work and life
· Change the focus from addressing perceived deficiencies to developing a better balance in life
· Help you to focus on what is important rather than simply urgent resulting a fundamental change involving a broader perspective which in turn should make me more rather than less valuable as an employee

The opinions presented are those of the author. The opinions and recommendations do not necessarily reflect the views of CMA, or their Officers and Directors. Readers are encouraged to evaluate any suggestions or recommendations made, and accept and adopt only those concepts that make sense to them.

5 Replies to “My New Year’s Resolutions – Michael Dennis, CBF”

Excellent article. Best advice I ever received was 30+ years ago as a young branch manager. My RM told me to place an imaginary key in my forehead when I locked up, and turn it from work to play. He said that family is more important than work, because the foundation has be there and he already had too many divorced & ineffective managers. His last admonition was to try & stay below 45 hours a week. “If you have to work more than that to get the job done, I’ve got the wrong man for the job.” That advice has served me well.